Plus3 is students' first chance to study abroad at Pitt. This two-week, three-credit interdisciplinary experience includes group travel with Pitt students, a Pitt faculty member, and a Pitt Program Assistant to one of seven locations. Students will be provided with a firsthand glimpse of globalization through industry-specific company tours, Q&A sessions with executives, academic lectures, and cultural visits.

Information Sessions

Interested Pitt Business first-year students are encouraged to register for an in-person or virtual hour-long information session to learn more about the program. We’ll discuss the program timeline in more detail, offer helpful tips/suggestions for answering the short-answer questions on the application, and more.

Program Information

Ecuador: Chocolate and Flowers

Ecuador is a major player in both the chocolate and flower global markets, and this equatorial nation provides the best firsthand experience on the global supply chain of two of the most unique commodities in the world. Through this program, students will gain background on Ecuador’s cultural and economic history that will provide valuable context as we visit companies, explore the chocolate and flower markets, and learn about sustainable agriculture and business. Students will taste, smell and witness first-hand many aspects of the chocolate and floral supply chains.

Who: Pitt Business (Oakland campus) students, University of Pittsburgh Johnstown Business students
Site visits may include: A rose farm, a cacao agroforest, a coastal cacao plantation, a chocolate processing factory and packing center, and the Guayaquil shipping port.
Cultural activities may include: A tour of Colonial Quito, visit a hummingbird reserve, Amazonian-style pottery making, walk in lush cloud forests at 8000 feet, tour coast of Ecuador, and stay at an Amazonian Rain Forest Field Station.
Locations will include Quito and The Andes Amazon Field School

Student Blogs + More Information

Want to learn more? Check out the Pitt Plus3 Blog page for past participant experiences.

Upon arrival, students will be housed in Quito.

The program will also travel to The Andes Amazon Field School. At the Field School, students will have spacious rooms that look out on the river and forest. Double or triple occupancy. Bathrooms in room with abundant hot water. High quality mattresses for a good rest. Sleep to the sound of frogs, the river, and heavy rain on the roof. Students will then wake to the sound of birds.

The Andes Amazon Field School is located at the Iyarina lodge in the Napo region of Ecuador. Iyarina is located on the South bank of the Napo River, 100 miles east of Quito, and 10 miles from the town of Tena. At approximately 1965 feet above sea level the area is characterized by small Quichua communities clustered along the river bank. The forest surrounding these communities is among the most bio-diverse in the world with a high number of endemic species of flora and fauna. Iyarina is located directly on the waterfront surrounded by a 1380 acre rainforest reserve.

In addition to the Andes Amazon Field School, participants will be traveling to both the cities of Quito and Guayaquil.

What You'll Study:

Plus3 is a 3-part program that occurs during the spring term with international travel the first two-weeks in May. Business students receive three credits for the completion of a Plus3 program. UPJ Business students should check with their department advisors for confirmation on what Plus3 could fulfill towards your degree.

Pre-Departure Classes – Approximately four or five cohort meetings with your faculty leader and program assistant in the spring term will help to prepare you for your time abroad. These sessions are mandatory for all participants.

Field Study – Company visits, guest lectures lectures, and a reflection blog comprise the academic portion of your two weeks in-country.

Post-Program Project – You will complete a project (details determined by the faculty member) that acts as a summary for your experience.

Important: UPJ Business students are required to have successfully taken Introduction to Business (001) during either the fall or spring term prior to the program.

Plus 3 Program in Ecuador (BUSSPP0047)

This program provides students with the opportunity to apply concepts and tools acquired in BUSSPP 0020 abroad. Students work in teams on research projects, and business environment and practices abroad are compared to those in the U.S. The program abroad includes visits, lectures, and cultural excursions during a two-week study period in Ecuador under the guidance of a faculty member.

Each Plus3 site has a designated faculty member and program assistant that will lead workshops, oversee academics and logistics, and travel with you in-country.

Faculty Member: Professor Skip Glenn
Professor Skip Glenn has explored Ecuador as part of research and training done for El Museo de Ciencias Naturales in Quito and the Academy of Natural Sciences, Philadelphia. His field experience has taken him from Loja Province in the south to Carchi Province in the north. Annually, he leads dozens of students to the natural and cultural riches of Ecuador found from the high Andes to the lowland rainforest. Having worked with the native Shuar and local scientists, he has a deep appreciation for the natural and cultural heritage of this great Andean nation.
Program Assistant: Rick Moslen

Your Pitt Study Abroad Contacts:

Rick Moslen

I’m Rick, and I’m an International Programs Manager at Pitt Business. I have managed international programming, advised & taught international students, and helped others strengthen their cultural competancies for over seven years. My international interests began as an undergrad, and since then I’ve explored over 26 countries and have experienced everything from presenting on a panel at a music festival in Spain, to studying traditional dance music in Peru, to getting chased by monkeys in Malaysia (not recommended), to hiking to the top of Table Mountain in South Africa. Fun fact: I love turbulence on planes (it’s like getting rocked to sleep).

Feel free to contact me at rickmoslen@business.pitt.edu or 412-383-5476.

E-mail:

rickmoslen@business.pitt.edu

Schedule an appointment

Schedule an appointment with me using Handshake!

Log in to Handshake
Select Appointments > Schedule an Appointment
Select Pitt Business International Programs Advising as the Category
Select International Programs Advising - Pitt Business as the Appointment Type
Select a day, find my name and find time that works best for you!

Don't see a time that works for you? Just send me an email!

Your In-Country Contacts:

Professor Skip Glenn

Professor Skip Glenn is an Assistant Professor of Marketing at the University of Pittsburgh-Johnstown. He has explored Ecuador as part of research and training done for El Museo de Ciencias Naturales in Quito and the Academy of Natural Sciences, Philadelphia. His field experience has taken him from Loja Province in the south to Carchi Province in the north. Having worked with the native Shuar and local scientists, he has a deep appreciation for the natural and cultural heritage of this great Andean nation.

Rick Moslen

Feel free to contact me at rickmoslen@business.pitt.edu or 412-383-5476.

E-mail:

rickmoslen@business.pitt.edu

Schedule an appointment

Schedule an appointment with me using Handshake!

Log in to Handshake
Select Appointments > Schedule an Appointment
Select Pitt Business International Programs Advising as the Category
Select International Programs Advising - Pitt Business as the Appointment Type
Select a day, find my name and find time that works best for you!

Don't see a time that works for you? Just send me an email!

Items Billed by Pitt
Program Fee	$5200	$5400
Study Abroad Fee	$300	$300
Total Billed by Pitt	$5500	$5700

Estimated Additional Out-of-Pocket Costs
Additional Spending Money		~$100-$300

What's Included:

Lodging for orientation in Pittsburgh and time abroad
Tuition for three credits
Round-trip international airfare*
In-country transportation
Excursions
Most meals
Visa (where applicable)
International Health Insurance
While your program fee will cover most of your expenses, keep in mind that you are also responsible for the following:

*Round trip airfare consists of departure from Pittsburgh and return to Pittsburgh or to a hub. (A list will be provided to students after acceptance.)

Study Abroad Fee ($300)
Additional spending money (~$100-$300)**

Visit our budgeting page for more information.

**Remember that your lifestyle and spending choices can greatly affect the amount of money you'll need while abroad.

When You'll Go:

Dates for Plus3 2023 are May 5-19. Students will be required to report to the University of Pittsburgh on the 5th (designated time, based on location, will be determined in spring 2023).

What Else You Need to Know:

Application requirements

First year, first semester students from Pitt Business

Students must have applied for a passport or already hold a valid passport by the application deadline. A valid passport means that it will not expire prior to the 6 month mark post program (see below for more details). If a student has a new or renewal passport processing, they must upload documentation that they've expedited that process and are waiting for a new passport to arrive.

Students must have a clean judicial record

Minimum of a 2.75 GPA at the end of the first semester

Passports
If you don't have a passport or need to renew yours, get started right away. Applications will not be accepted without a passport that is valid at least six months past the program end date (unless students can provide proof that their passport is processing AND the process has been expedited).

Students can apply at the Allegheny County of Dept. of Court Records
City County Building
414 Grant Street
Monday-Friday from 8:30 am to 4pm, Wednesdays until 7pm.
Application: www.us-passport-service-guide.com
Check out our helpful Passport Guide for more information.

Disciplinary Record

One or more disciplinary violations on a student's record will trigger an additional review.
Students with any drugs and alcohol-related violations will not be eligible to participate in Plus3.
Students under active disciplinary sanction at the time of application and/or during the program are not eligible to study abroad.